Anorexic daughter - help she's 13 years old!?

Question

My daughter became very sick last thanksgiving with unexplained nausea. She didn't start starving herself until about 3 months of horrible nausea every time she ate. We have been to almost every doctor we can think of to look for the source of the nausea and still have found nothing. Now, it is an eating disorder with nausea as a sideline. (still can't pinpoint the nausea) Anyway, I found her on my space making secret accounts to connect with others with anorexia.

We have talked about this in depth and she knows that I don't want her going to anorexic sites or seeking out the lifestyle. The computer is in the living room and password protected. However, today I left and forgot to make sure the password screen came up before I left. I was gone for 10 min. and when I returned she was on the computer. Checked the history and she had gone to you tube to watch "sophie" an anorexic video. What can I do to help her? I am SO LOST! I don't even know where to begin.

She has a therapist but not one that specializes in Anorexia and I don't know where to find one that takes my insurance. I live in South eastern Michigan. Doctors have told me to back off on the control things but how can I when I see her TRYING to destroy herself and making terrible choices. She is my only child and I really don't want to bury her any time soon. She weighs 101.5 LBS but wants to weigh less than 90 LBS at 5'2" tall. Help?!?!

After a year of doctor appointments and the increase in financial stress due to living in Michigan (lowest of the low regarding unemployment and other problems and having rather High gas prices), there really isn't anything to sell in order to get her the help she needs. Live in an apartment and drive a 92 grand am. I need the insurance to cover it because I have no place else to get the funds.

oh yeah, she has lost a total of 65 LBS since last year at this time.

Answer 1

I don't know of your area. But you need to get her help as quickly as possible. I wish I had programs in your area to tell you about. Personal experience, I was bulimic and I didn't get help to it was almost too late. My esphogus ruptured and was rushed to the hospital. Eating disorders are an awful thing to deal with. Be very gentle with her,very,very gentle. Try to go on the net and find a place that will take her. I don;t know what your financail situation is but there are many places that will take teens in crisis like she is--many times for free. You and your daughter are in my prayers. Best of luck, honey.

Answer 2

She is overweight for her height and age and wouldn't be too bad to loose weight, but the healthy weight.

Answer 3

i have just converted from lbs to kgs and she very under weight,,,i know that is very silly that i can see that,,,,obvisoly seeing anorexic teenagers does not scare her on comp ,maybe talk to hte nearest hospital to see someone who actually is in hospital with it and take her to see them, it may scare her or make it worse. when i was like that i was lucky i had a lot of people who i could turn to and htey turned me around and now i never been back own that road.
An other way is try to get hte book of Bronte, she was a girl who went down that road and came out the other end all recoverd. I personally have met Bronte when she was in Australia and at her worst in hospital it was a terrible sight and it made my eldest daughter never want to go there and she hasn't. I hope this helps,,,,i dont live overseas so i cant say much about those states. I know in Australia they let you go and see hte sick people who have eating disorders ,,,hope this helps

Answer 4

She needs to be hospitalized. A number of years ago, there was a great program at Parkland Children's Hospital in Dallas.

NAMI is a great site--they'll have lots of info on eating disorders, hospitals, programs, drs, etc.
www.nami.org

She doesn't need a therapist so much as a psychiatrist, a psychiatrist that specializes in teenagers with anorexia.

Those drs. who told you to back off are stupid. Be proactive and get your daughter the help she needs. Start with nami. They can help you find ways to pay for the treatment, too.

Answer 5

you have to try to help her understand how beautiful she is, and that there is nothing wrong with her. being that you were anorexic yourself this should be easier for you because you know some of things that helped you gain self confidence. anorexia isnt something to mess with, and i wish you luck in convincing your daughter how beautiful she is. taking her to therapy might help her come to terms with it, but i think surrounding her with friends and family will make her feel a lot better about herself.

Answer 6

you need to get your daughter to a psychiatrist not a therapist! one that your insurance pays for? who cares this is your daughters life we are talking about. sell your car, sell something to get her help, I would. she probably needs to go somewhere similar to rehab to get well, away from what is making her sick, I wish i could help, contact DR. Phil Show maybe ask for help (not kidding) I work in tv. He might be your savior. he has a website, I wish I could offer better advice. But my cousin just committed suicide after long years of anorexia and I don't want your daughter to be another who ends up like that. I hope she makes it.

Answer 7

I'm so sorry to hear that and im sure there is nothing i can say to make u feel better, other than be strong and there for her.Maybe you could go to (I-VILLIAGE.COM) and talk with other parents with the same issues as you,for moral support being that she's already got therapy and d.r.'s.Maybe someone there can help you find some other help.good luck!Don't forget to pray.

Answer 8

Hi VerJen

Here are some ideas to help heal the issue.

Cause
In both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, the underlying causative factors are commonly believed to be solely due to an obsession with body fat, a fear of being (or becoming) fat, or over-concern with perfectionism. Although all of these factors are important, recent research also shows that in most cases an underlying zinc deficiency may contribute to the both disorders.

Caution: Intravenous feeding may be necessary in acute cases to replace lost calories and reverse protein deficiency. Psychological counseling by trained specialists, combined with Nutritional Supplementation, is highly recommended.


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Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: As antidepressants, take infusions of bergamot, basil, chamomile, clary sage, lavender, neroli, or ylang ylang.

Diet: Follow a bland diet and avoid coffee, tea, and other stimulants. A well-balanced diet, high in fiber, should be followed when a regular eating pattern is being established. Avoid sugar and white flour products.

Flower Essences: Various flower essences to address underlying emotional and mental states of imbalance and negativity, such as fears, perfectionism, manipulative behavior, depression, and anxiety, are recommended. Crab Apple, in particular, is useful for eradicating obsessive habits relating to body image.

Herbs: Cardamom, fennel, and/or fresh ginger can help regulate digestion and stop vomiting. For calming effect, the herbs valerian, nutmeg, ashwagandha, and sandalwood are very effective. To stimulate appetite, take ginger root, ginseng, gotu kola, peppermint. Gentian root helps stimulate the appetite and has been useful in helping anorexics regain their appetite.

Nutritional Supplementation: Zinc deficiency can be a major contributing factor in anorexia. As a result, zinc supplementation has proven successful in overcoming dietary deficiencies and in helping anorexics regain their appetite and weight. According to eating disorder specialists, the inability to taste a tablespoon of zinc in the form of zinc sulfate heptahydrate (a liquid zinc supplement) in the mouth may be indicative of inadequate zinc status. If that is the case, it is recommended that patients take 100-120 ml per day of zinc sulfate heptahydrate until symptoms improve, which may take two weeks. Vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin E levels in the blood are often low in anorexia nervosa.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the symptoms of anorexia nervosa: Hypnotherapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Mind/Body Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Best of heath to both of you

Answer 9

tell her to stop being paranoid about her bathroom habits and stop thinking people know and stuff like that.. shes paranoid people know she does **** which her brain set up a sort of denial for .. girls dont want to accept the reality that they have to go to the bathroom after they eat .. i think thats what anarexia is about